India appoints Johnson as U-19 football team head coach

New Delhi: Englishman Lee Alan Johnson has been roped in as the head coach of India’s U-19 football team, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said on Tuesday.
Besides managing the U-19 team, 34-year-old Johnson will also act as the head scout for the national side and will also perform the role of assistant coach of the senior team.
Talking about his new assignment, looking for young talented footballers in the country, Johnson said: “In such a big country you need to find them in order to further enhance the national team squads. I will be travelling to Hero I-League matches and also youth games to identify potential players for the future.”
“We need to make sure that everyone understands what we are trying to do, and it’s all for the benefit of Indian football. We have got the potential to do good things and be successful.”
Before taking up the India job, Johnson was working as the technical director of the Football Federation of Rwanda where he was also the head coach of the U-17 national team. Johnson was also an FA Learning Tutor for The Football Association besides being the academy coach at Crystal Palace Football Club and Chelsea Football Club. (PTI)